New to Toyota and 4Runners

After being a long time BWM family with more leases in the past 20 years than I care to remember, I have made the jump to Toyota.

I figured the 4Runner was "safe" money given current market conditions, even with a redesign coming. Dealers in my area are asking 5-12K over MSRP but I was able to find inbound units at MSRP within 300 miles.

I ended up buying two 2022 Off Road Premiums. A white with black TRD wheels and a Magnetic Gray with Bronze TRD wheels. My wife will drive one and my 16 year old son the other. I look forward to adding a rack, rails, tires etc to my sons as we have some bonding time on this adventure.

ETA for delivery is 11/3 and 11/8.

 

welcome

 

You made a Toyota salesperson VERY happy for sure! Never know who's going to walk through that door.....

If I could get my kid into ANY 4Runner I'd certainly do it, he's almost 16. Big and slow and safe.

 

I learned my lesson with my oldest when it comes to putting a 16 year old in a powerful car.

 

Ouch!

If my kid did that (knock on wood), I'd put him back on his bicycle.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

The scary thing he is a pilot and had just been up logging some hours in our plane. How can he make such good decisions in air and bad ones on the ground. He is off to college now with no wheels.

 

As my Dad taught me kid you have to have some serious skin $$$ in the game.
That way you appreciate it that much more and make wiser decisions.

Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy.

Well at least it should not in my opinion.

 

My daughter didn’t get a new car until she was 21.

Although she has never been in an accident or had a ticket her previous car was totaled when it was legally parked on the street in Oakland and a city vehicle crashed into it.

 

Hopefully he's OK. I can't imagine having a 16 year old in a Mustang!

 

He was fine. I gave him a long lash partly because we was flying solo at 16 so I figured he could handle the responsibility. Also because my dad would only buy me a 4 bannger Mustang at 16 and I did some stupid stuff trying to show friends it was worthy, which it was not. He had the Mustang 3 years to the day, this happened on his 19th BD.

 

And tell em to find a job close enough they can pedal to.

 

My dad gave me the old family 240 dL Volvo. After the rear end blew, it was on me to provide my own wheels.

 

I have an inbound Magnetic Grey Off Road Premium and am really on the fence about the TRD wheels. I want the grey ones but not sure if there will be enough contrast. I don't want them to match the truck's exterior. Bronze is intriguing.

 

I got grandma's 1981 four door, two tone gold Malibu. I would have killed to get any Mustang.

 

I’m not even a Ford fan, and agree with ya.

 

Here is the best pic I have found.

 

I recall from my pilot training days hearing about the 200 hour pilot. They have enough time to be confident in the plane and start feeling overly confident about their own skills. Then they try something new, unprepared, and they get bit in the ass. That is when a pilot is most dangerous. They know enough to get into trouble.

Perhaps it was a similar situation with the mustang.

If he is kid that listens to his pop, and is capable of humbly reflecting on his judgement… he’ll learn from this and be better for it.

Regarding the comment about the 4runner being safer…it’s not, really. It’s heavier and capable of causing the same level of harm to others, the driver, and passengers. A lot has changed in society since I used to fly, so I’m not sure if this philosophy is still engrained in pilot training… but back in olden days it’s was really pushed that the pilot is the primary factor in safety, not the machine. I dont think it serves young kids to have them feel they are in a safe car.

edit: I forgot…congrats on the 4runner. Awesome score x 2. I dig the mgm with bronze wheels look!

 

It is bigger and heavier, but since it’s a body on frame SUV with a relatively old twenty-year design, the front offset crash safety rating is actually garbage compared to unibody vehicles.

 

And even if the vehicle is actually safer for the occupant, a young kid learning to drive needs to also know that “safety ratings” means nothing to others outside of his car. The proper perspective on responsibility is important. A young kids life can be also be ruined by the damage they might do to others, not just the damage they might do to themselves.

The OP sounds like he’s got a bright kid, responsible enough to go through pilot training successfully. But kids are kids, they need reminders…

 

I think IHS says the mustang is safer, but it sure will not be as tempting.

 

I got to borrow my moms 1985 K car wagon. You couldn’t hurt yourself without driving off a cliff. Lol.

Lucky kids. I hope they appreciate your generosity. I just get to play cool uncle. And congrats on 2 ORPs!

 

After I wrecked my parents car at 17 I was not rewarded with a brand new 50K vehicle. I applaud your ability to buck the trend and think outside the box.

 

Can we all gather around, and buy @Cobra1965 a virtual beer? That's horrible, but glad the young buck is ok.

 

They can fly around and we can meet the for a beer.

 

I second that. Besides; team working skills, awareness and transparent communication skills, self discipline, be good in absorbing technical info, and stay calm when it's get hairy.

 

Welcome to the Forum from Texas.

 

I can't say I am never nervous when he goes up. Even now that he is 19 and a commercial rated 400+ hr pilot, I worry like crazy.

 

He is still young, let him fly a lot and gain more knowledge, this is the best way to become a competent pilot. Not saying he is not competent now.

 

Fricken A. Yeah, he’s gonna be fine lol. Commercial pilots tend to take instruction and advice fairly well as a general rule lol. Is he doing any flight instruction yet?

Is he thinking of flying as a carreer path?